Woman pleads guilty to nearly-fatal heroin dose

Published
12:00 am CDT, Wednesday, August 6, 2014

EDWARDSVILLE — A judge Wednesday sentenced an Alton woman with a history of drug offenses, to two years of probation on a charge accusing her of giving a nearly fatal dose of heroin to an acquaintance.

Lisa Burch, 24, of the 700 block of Milton Road, pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated battery for delivering heroin to a man who passed out and was revived only after being rushed to a hospital.

The judge said he took into consideration the fact that Burch has been attending drug treatment and that she has a newborn child to take care of, as well as a job.

A co-defendant, Michelle Outhouse, 34, of South Roxana, also pleaded guilty previously and was put on probation, but she quickly violated her probation, the judge noted. Prosecutors have filed a petition to revoke probation for Outhouse and she may now face prison.

The judge warned Burch that she will end up in prison for four years or more if she is involved in any further illegal activity.

“This is an extraordinarily dangerous and powerful substance. These are extremely dangerous conditions, but I want to give you an opportunity. This may just delay your prison sentence,” the judge told Burch.

In exchange for her plea, a charge of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance was dropped.

Assistant State’s Attorney Calvin Fuller argued for a five-year prison term. He noted that Burch has a history of felony drug convictions dating to 2011.

She has been convicted of possession of an amount of a controlled substance, felony retail theft and violation of probation. A charge of drug possession was pending when the aggravated battery occurred. She also has two convictions for possession of marijuana, a conviction for resisting arrest and a misdemeanor retail theft charge.

Fuller also noted the serious harm done to the victim.

The sentence was imposed after Burch’s mother, Rebecca Burch, testified that her daughter is living with her and has changed her ways. She has been attending drug treatment regularly and without complaint or resistance, she said.

“She’s turned over a new leaf,” Rebecca Burch testified. Lisa does not associate with the people with whom she use to get in trouble, Rebecca Burch said.

The defendant said she takes care of her newborn child and is ready to return to work after maternity leave. She was allowed to hold the baby as her mother testified, as, apparently there was no other way to care for the child.

“I go to outpatient treatment. I hate what I’ve done. I don’t use anymore,” the defendant said. She told the judge she appreciates the sentence of probation.

“You won’t regret it,” she said.

Sanford Schmidt can be contacted at 618-208-6449 or on Twitter @SanfordSan.